Information processing apparatus, information processing system, computer-readable storage medium, and information processing method

ABSTRACT

When a data transfer process is started, a state in which a plurality of character objects lift an icon object in a three-dimensional virtual space, and carry the icon object from a start point toward a completion point in the three-dimensional virtual space, according to a degree of progress of the data transfer process, is displayed. At this time, a display range is sequentially shifted according to the degree of progress of the data transfer process so as to constantly display the icon object on a screen.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-122381, filed onMay 31, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The technique described herein relates to an information processingapparatus, an information processing system, a computer-readable storagemedium, and an information processing method, and particularly to aninformation processing apparatus, an information processing system, acomputer-readable storage medium, and an information processing methodcapable of displaying a degree of progress of a predeterminedinformation processing task.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Conventionally, display of a degree of progress has been performed invarious manners in order to inform a user that data transmission orreception is being performed, and how much degree the data transmissionor reception has progressed, in a case where, for example, the datatransmission or data reception is performed among a plurality ofinformation processing apparatuses.

For example, a conventional art in which a time required for datareception is calculated, and a color of a figure displayed on a monitoris changed with elapse of time for the data reception, has been known.Further, a conventional art in which a degree of progress of datareception is displayed by using a bar graph, and a conventional art inwhich a remaining time up to completion of data reception is indicated,have been also known.

However, these conventional arts have a drawback that a visual change issmall and the display is monotonous.

Therefore, an object of the technique described herein is to makeavailable an information processing apparatus, an information processingsystem, a computer-readable storage medium, and an informationprocessing method capable of displaying a degree of progress of apredetermined information processing task in a novel display manner.

The aforementioned object is attained by, for example, the followingfeatures.

A first exemplary feature is directed to an information processingapparatus including at least one screen, and the information processingapparatus includes: an execution section configured to execute apredetermined information processing task; a display section configuredto display, on the at least one screen, a portion of a progress degreedisplay image representing a degree of progress of the predeterminedinformation processing task; and a display controller configured tosequentially shift a display range of the progress degree display imageto be displayed on the at least one screen, according to the degree ofprogress of the predetermined information processing task.

The progress degree display image may include a portion representing amost recent degree of progress, and the display controller maysequentially shift the display range of the progress degree displayimage so as to display, on the at least one screen, the portion which isincluded in the progress degree display image, and which represents themost recent degree of progress.

Further, the display controller may sequentially shift the display rangeof the progress degree display image so as to change from a firstposition in the progress degree display image toward a second positionin the progress degree display image, and the first position representsa start point of the predetermined information processing task, and thesecond position represents a completion point of the predeterminedinformation processing task.

Further, the display controller may change a distance from the firstposition to the second position according to the predeterminedinformation processing task.

Further, the display controller may change a distance from the firstposition to the second position according to an amount of data to beprocessed in the predetermined information processing task.

Further, the display controller may change a distance from the firstposition to the second position according to a time required for thepredetermined information processing task.

Further, the progress degree display image may include a positiondisplay located between the first position and the second position, andthe position display represents the degree of progress between the firstposition and the second position.

Further, the position display may be located between the first positionand the second position in the progress degree display image atpredetermined intervals.

Further, when execution of the predetermined information processing taskis started, the display controller may display an entirety of theprogress degree display image on the at least one screen, and thereaftera portion of the progress degree display image may be enlarged anddisplayed on the at least one screen, and the display range of theprogress degree display image may be then shifted sequentially accordingto the degree of progress of the predetermined information processingtask.

Further, the progress degree display image may be an image representinga three-dimensional virtual space including a predeterminedthree-dimensional object. The display controller may move thethree-dimensional object from a first point in the three-dimensionalvirtual space, toward a second point in the three-dimensional virtualspace, according to the degree of progress of the predeterminedinformation processing task, and the first point represents a startpoint of the predetermined information processing task, and the secondpoint represents a completion point of the predetermined informationprocessing task, and a virtual camera may be controlled so as to followthe three-dimensional object, so that the progress degree display imagemay be generated.

Further, the predetermined information processing task may include atleast one of a data reception process, a data transmission process, adata writing process for writing data in a storage device, and a datareading process for reading data from the storage device.

Further, the progress degree display image may include a portionrepresenting a most recent degree of progress, and the most recentdegree of progress may be displayed by changing, in the progress degreedisplay image, a relative position of the portion representing the mostrecent degree of progress, according to the degree of progress.

Further, the progress degree display image may include a portionrepresenting a most recent degree of progress, the most recent degree ofprogress may be displayed by moving, in the progress degree displayimage, a display position of the portion representing the most recentdegree of progress, according to the degree of progress, and the displaycontroller may further display a predetermined character object on theat least one screen, and the display position of the portionrepresenting the most recent degree of progress may be moved in theprogress degree display image by using the predetermined characterobject.

A second exemplary feature is directed to an information processingsystem including at least one screen, and the information processingsystem includes: an execution section configured to execute apredetermined information processing task; a display section configuredto display, on the at least one screen, a portion of a progress degreedisplay image representing a degree of progress of the predeterminedinformation processing task; and a display controller configured tosequentially shift a display range of the progress degree display imageto be displayed on the at least one screen, according to the degree ofprogress of the predetermined information processing task.

A third exemplary feature is directed to a computer-readable storagemedium having stored therein an information processing program thatcauses a computer of an information processing apparatus including atleast one screen to function as: an execution section configured toexecute a predetermined information processing task; a display sectionconfigured to display, on the at least one screen, a portion of aprogress degree display image representing a degree of progress of thepredetermined information processing task; and a display controllerconfigured to sequentially shift a display range of the progress degreedisplay image to be displayed on the at least one screen, according tothe degree of progress of the predetermined information processing task.

A fourth exemplary feature is directed to an information processingmethod executed by an information processing apparatus including atleast one screen, and the information processing method includes thesteps of: executing a predetermined information processing task;displaying, on the at least one screen, a portion of a progress degreedisplay image representing a degree of progress of the predeterminedinformation processing task; and sequentially shifting a display rangeof the progress degree display image to be displayed on the at least onescreen, according to the degree of progress of the predeterminedinformation processing task.

According to the technique, a degree of progress of a predeterminedinformation processing task can be displayed in a novel display manner.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thetechnique will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a non-limiting example of a gameapparatus 10 in an opened state;

FIG. 2A is a left side view showing a non-limiting example of the gameapparatus 10 in a closed state;

FIG. 2B is a front view showing a non-limiting example of the gameapparatus 10 in the closed state;

FIG. 2C is a right side view showing a non-limiting example of the gameapparatus 10 in the closed state;

FIG. 2D is a rear view showing a non-limiting example of the gameapparatus 10 in the closed state;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting exemplary internalconfiguration of the game apparatus 10;

FIG. 4A illustrates a non-limiting exemplary image displayed on an upperLCD 22 when data having a small size is being transferred;

FIG. 4B illustrates a non-limiting exemplary image displayed on theupper LCD 22 when the data having the small size is being transferred;

FIG. 4C illustrates a non-limiting exemplary image displayed on theupper LCD 22 when the data having the small size is being transferred;

FIG. 4D illustrates a non-limiting exemplary image displayed on theupper LCD 22 when the data having the small size is being transferred;

FIG. 4E illustrates a non-limiting exemplary image displayed on theupper LCD 22 when the data having the small size is being transferred;

FIG. 5 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary method for determining adistance from a start point to a completion point in a three-dimensionalvirtual space;

FIG. 6 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary method for determining asize of an icon and the number of characters;

FIG. 7A illustrate a non-limiting exemplary image displayed on the upperLCD 22 when data having a large size is being transferred;

FIG. 7B illustrate a non-limiting exemplary image displayed on the upperLCD 22 when the data having the large size is being transferred;

FIG. 7C illustrate a non-limiting exemplary image displayed on the upperLCD 22 when the data having the large size is being transferred;

FIG. 7D illustrates a non-limiting exemplary image displayed on theupper LCD 22 when the data having the large size is being transferred;

FIG. 7E illustrates a non-limiting exemplary image displayed on theupper LCD 22 when the data having the large size is being transferred;

FIG. 8A illustrates a non-limiting exemplary wiping process performed atthe start of a data transfer;

FIG. 8B illustrates a non-limiting exemplary wiping process performed atthe start of the data transfer;

FIG. 9A illustrates a non-limiting exemplary method for implementing thewiping process;

FIG. 9B illustrates the non-limiting exemplary method for implementingthe wiping process;

FIG. 10 illustrates another non-limiting exemplary method forimplementing the wiping process;

FIG. 11 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary memory map of a main memory32;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a non-limiting exemplary flow of aprocess based on a data transfer program; and

FIG. 13 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary modification of a progressdegree display image.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a game apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe technique will be described. A case in which the technique isapplied to a game apparatus will be described below. However, thetechnique is applicable to any information processing apparatus as wellas a game apparatus.

A game apparatus 10 is a hand-held game apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1and FIGS. 2A to 2D, the game apparatus 10 has a lower housing 11 and anupper housing 21. The lower housing 11 and the upper housing 21 areconnected to each other so as to be openable and closable (foldable).

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A to 2D, the lower housing 11 includes alower LCD (liquid crystal display) 12, a touch panel 13, operationbuttons 14A to 14L, an analog stick 15, LEDs 16A and 16B, an insertionopening 17, and a microphone hole 18.

The touch panel 13 is mounted on a screen of the lower LCD 12. Theinsertion opening 17 (indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2D)for storing a touch pen 28 is formed in the upper side surface of thelower housing 11.

A cross button 14A (a direction input button 14A), a button 14B, abutton 14C, a button 14D, a button 14E, a power button 14F, a selectionbutton 14J, a HOME button 14K, and a start button 14L are provided onthe inner side surface (main surface) of the lower housing 11.

The analog stick 15 is a device for indicating a direction

The microphone hole 18 is formed in the inner side surface of the lowerhousing 11. Under the microphone hole 18, a microphone 42 (see FIG. 3)is provided as a sound input device described below.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2D, an L button 14G and an R button 14H areprovided on the upper side surface of the lower housing 11. Further, asshown in FIG. 2A, a sound volume button 141 for adjusting a sound volumeof a speaker 43 (see FIG. 3) of the game apparatus 10 is provided on theleft side surface of the lower housing 11.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a cover section 11C is provided on the left sidesurface of the lower housing 11 so as to be openable and closable.Inside the cover section 11C, a connector is provided for electricallyconnecting between the game apparatus 10 and an external data storagememory 45.

As shown in FIG. 2D, an insertion opening 11D through which an externalmemory 44 is inserted is formed in the upper side surface of the lowerhousing 11.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2C, a first LED 16A for notifying a user ofan ON/OFF state of a power supply of the game apparatus 10 is providedon the lower side surface of the lower housing 11, and a second LED 16Bfor notifying a user of an establishment state of a wirelesscommunication of the game apparatus 10 is provided on the right sidesurface of the lower housing 11. The game apparatus 10 is capable ofperforming wireless communication with another apparatus. A wirelessswitch 19 for enabling/disabling the function of the wirelesscommunication is provided on the right side surface of the lower housing11 (see FIG. 2C).

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the upper housing 21 includes an upperLCD (liquid crystal display) 22, an outer imaging section 23 (an outerimaging section (left) 23 a and an outer imaging section (right) 23 b),an inner imaging section 24, a 3D adjustment switch 25, and a 3Dindicator 26.

The upper LCD 22 is a display device capable of displaying astereoscopically viewable image. Specifically, the upper LCD 22 is adisplay device capable of displaying, by utilizing a parallax barrier, astereoscopically viewable image, which is visible by naked eye. Astereoscopic image (stereoscopically viewable image) for a user can bedisplayed on the upper LCD 22 such that a user is allowed to view a lefteye image with her/his left eye and a right eye image with her/his righteye with the utilization of parallax barrier. The upper LCD 22 isallowed to disable the parallax barrier. When the parallax barrier isdisabled, an image can be displayed in a planar manner. Thus, the upperLCD 22 is capable of switching between a stereoscopic display mode fordisplaying a stereoscopically viewable image and a planar display modefor displaying an image in a planar manner (for displaying a planarviewable image). The switching of the display mode is performed, forexample, by using the 3D adjustment switch 25 which will be describedbelow.

Two imaging sections (23 a and 23 b) provided in an outer side surface21D of the upper housing 21 are generically referred to as the outerimaging section 23. The outer imaging section (left) 23 a and the outerimaging section (right) 23 b can be used as a stereo camera by the gameapparatus 10 executing a program.

The inner imaging section 24 is provided in an inner side surface 21B ofthe upper housing 21 and acts as an imaging section that has an imagingdirection that is the same direction as the inward normal directionnormal to the inner side surface.

The 3D adjustment switch 25 is a slide switch, and is used for switchinga display mode of the upper LCD 22 as described above. Further, the 3Dadjustment switch 25 is used for adjusting a stereoscopic effect of astereoscopically viewable image (stereoscopic image) which is displayedon the upper LCD 22. A slider 25 a of the 3D adjustment switch 25 isslidable to any position in a predetermined direction (along thelongitudinal direction of the right side surface), and a display mode ofthe upper LCD 22 is determined in accordance with the position of theslider 25 a. Further, a manner in which the stereoscopic image is viewedis adjusted in accordance with the position of the slider 25 a.

The 3D indicator 26 is implemented as a LED for indicating whether ornot the upper LCD 22 is in the stereoscopic display mode.

Further, a speaker hole 21E is formed in the inner side surface of theupper housing 21. A sound is outputted through the speaker hole 21E fromthe speaker 43 described below.

Next, an internal electrical configuration of the game apparatus 10 willbe described with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the gameapparatus 10 includes, in addition to the components described above,electronic components such as an information processing section 31, amain memory 32, an external memory interface (external memory I/F) 33,an external data storage memory I/F 34, an internal data storage memory35, a wireless communication module 36, a local communication module 37,a real time clock (RTC) 38, an acceleration sensor 39, a power supplycircuit 40, an interface circuit (I/F circuit) 41, and the like.

The information processing section 31 includes: a CPU (centralprocessing unit) 311 for executing a predetermined program; a GPU(graphics processing unit) 312 for performing image processing; and aVRAM (video RAM) 313. The CPU 311 executes a program stored in a memory(for example, the external memory 44 connected to the external memoryI/F 33 or the internal data storage memory 35) in the game apparatus 10to perform a process corresponding to the program. The program executedby the CPU 311 may be obtained from another apparatus by communicationwith the other apparatus. The GPU 312 generates an image in accordancewith an instruction from the CPU 311, and renders the image in the VRAM313. The image rendered in the VRAM 313 is outputted to the upper LCD 22and/or the lower LCD 12, and the image is displayed on the upper LCD 22and/or the lower LCD 12.

The external memory I/F 33 is an interface for detachably connecting tothe external memory 44. The external data storage memory I/F 34 is aninterface for detachably connecting to the external data storage memory45.

The main memory 32 is a volatile storage device used as a work area anda buffer area for (the CPU 311 of) the information processing section31.

The external memory 44 is a nonvolatile storage device for storing, forexample, a program executed by the information processing section 31.The external memory 44 is implemented as, for example, a read-onlysemiconductor memory.

The external data storage memory 45 is implemented as a non-volatilememory (for example, a NAND flash memory) capable of performing readingand writing, and is used for storing any data.

The internal data storage memory 35 is implemented as a non-volatilememory (for example, a NAND flash memory) capable of performing readingand writing, and is used for storing predetermined data. For example,data or programs downloaded by wireless communication via the wirelesscommunication module 36 is stored in the internal data storage memory35.

The wireless communication module 36 has a function of connecting to awireless LAN in a method compliant with, for example, the standard ofIEEE 802.11b/g. Further, the local communication module 37 has afunction of performing wireless communication with the same type of gameapparatus in a predetermined communication method (for example, acommunication based on an independent protocol, or infraredcommunication).

The acceleration sensor 39 detects magnitudes of accelerations (linearaccelerations) in the directions of the straight lines along the threeaxial (xyz axial) directions, respectively. The information processingsection 31 can receive data (acceleration data) representingaccelerations detected by the acceleration sensor 39, and detect anorientation and a motion of the game apparatus 10.

The RTC 38 counts time and outputs the time to the informationprocessing section 31. The information processing section 31 calculatesa current time (date) based on the time counted by the RTC 38. The powersupply circuit 40 controls power from a power source (rechargeablebattery) of the game apparatus 10, and supplies power to each componentof the game apparatus 10.

To the I/F circuit 41, the touch panel 13, the microphone 42, and thespeaker 43 are connected. The I/F circuit 41 includes a sound controlcircuit for controlling the microphone 42 and the speaker 43(amplifier), and a touch panel control circuit for controlling the touchpanel. The sound control circuit performs A/D conversion and D/Aconversion on the sound signal, and converts the sound signal to apredetermined form of sound data, for example. The touch panel controlcircuit generates a predetermined form of touch position data based on asignal outputted from the touch panel 13, and outputs the touch positiondata to the information processing section 31. The informationprocessing section 31 acquires the touch position data, to obtain aposition on which an input is made on the touch panel 13.

The operation button 14 includes the operation buttons 14A to 14Ldescribed above. Operation data indicating an input state of each of theoperation buttons 14A to 14L (whether or not each button has beenpressed) is outputted from the operation button 14 to the informationprocessing section 31.

The lower LCD 12 and the upper LCD 22 are connected to the informationprocessing section 31. Specifically, the information processing section31 is connected to an LCD controller (not shown) of the upper LCD 22,and controls the LCD controller such that the parallax barrier is to beon or off. When the parallax barrier is set to ON in the upper LCD 22, aright eye image and a left eye image which are stored in the VRAM 313 ofthe information processing section 31 are outputted to the upper LCD 22.More specifically, the LCD controller alternately repeats reading ofpixel data of the right eye image for one line in the verticaldirection, and reading of pixel data of the left eye image for one linein the vertical direction, thereby reading, from the VRAM 313, the righteye image and the left eye image. Thus, an image to be displayed isdivided into the right eye image and the left eye image each of which isa rectangle-shaped image having one line of pixels aligned in thevertical direction, and an image, in which the rectangle-shaped righteye image which is obtained through the division, and therectangle-shaped left eye image which is obtained through the divisionare alternately aligned, is displayed on the screen of the upper LCD 22.A user views the images through the parallax barrier in the upper LCD22, so that the right eye image is viewed by the user's right eye, andthe left eye image is viewed by the user's left eye. Thus, thestereoscopically viewable image is displayed on the screen of the upperLCD 22.

The outer imaging section 23 and the inner imaging section 24 each takean image in accordance with an instruction from the informationprocessing section 31, and output data of the taken image to theinformation processing section 31.

The 3D adjustment switch 25 transmits an electrical signal representinga position of the slider 25 a, to the information processing section 31.

The information processing section 31 controls whether or not the 3Dindicator 26 is to be lit up. For example, the information processingsection 31 lights up the 3D indicator 26 when the upper LCD 22 is in thestereoscopic display mode.

(Outline of Data Transfer Process)

Next, an outline of a data transfer process executed by the gameapparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 10.

The game apparatus 10 has a function of performing transfer of any data(for example, application programs or image data) between another gameapparatus and the game apparatus 10. Specifically, the game apparatus 10is allowed to receive any data from another game apparatus, and transmitany data to another game apparatus, by executing a data transfer programdescribed below.

Hereinafter, an outline of a process performed when the game apparatus10 receives data from another game apparatus will be described.

When the game apparatus 10 starts the data transfer process, a progressdegree display image is displayed, on the upper LCD 22, for indicating adegree of progress of the data transfer process. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4E showa non-limiting exemplary progress degree display image which isdisplayed on the upper LCD 22 while the data transfer process is beingperformed.

When the data transfer process for data A (in the embodiment describedherein, a process of receiving the data A from another game apparatus)is started, the progress degree display image as shown in FIG. 4A isfirstly displayed on the upper LCD 22. The progress degree display imageshown in FIG. 4A includes an icon object 50 representing data to beprocessed in the data transfer process, a plurality of character objects51, an indicator object 52 s representing a start point, and anindicator object 52 g representing a completion point. These objects arethree-dimensional objects positioned in a three-dimensional virtualspace. An image (stereoscopically viewable image) as shown in FIG. 4A isgenerated by these three-dimensional objects being rendered by a pair ofvirtual cameras.

Immediately after the data transfer process is started, the icon object50 is located at the start point. An image representing a type orcontents of the data to be processed in the data transfer process isindicated on the front surface (a surface displayed on the screen inFIG. 4A) of the icon object 50.

Thereafter, the icon object 50 is reversed as indicated by an arrow inFIG. 4A, and a rear surface (on which an image such as a cardboard boxor a gift box is drawn) of the icon object 50 is displayed as shown inFIG. 4B. Thereafter, a state in which the plurality of character objects51 lift the icon object 50 and carry the icon object 50 from the startpoint toward the completion point, is displayed.

A movement of the plurality of character objects 51 (in other words, amovement of the icon object 50) is performed according to a degree ofprogress of the data transfer process. For example, when transfer ofabout half the data to be processed in the data transfer process hasbeen completed, a state in which the icon object 51 is moving near amidpoint between the start point and the completion point as shown inFIG. 4C, is displayed. Near the completion of the data transfer process,a state in which the plurality of character objects 51 have carried theicon object 50 to the completion point as shown in FIG. 4D, isdisplayed. Thereafter, as shown in. FIG. 4E, the icon object 50 isreversed, and the front surface of the icon object 50 is displayedagain. Thus, a user can know that the transfer process for the data Ahas been completed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the three-dimensionalobject (the plurality of character objects 51 and the icon object 50) ismoved from the start point toward the completion point defined in thethree-dimensional virtual space, according to a degree of progress ofthe data transfer process. Therefore, a user can recognize the progressstate of the data transfer process, according to the most recentposition of the three-dimensional object in the three-dimensionalvirtual space (that is, according to how far the three-dimensionalobject has moved from the start point, or how close thethree-dimensional object is to the completion point as a result of themovement).

In the present embodiment, a distance from the start point to thecompletion point in the three-dimensional virtual space is determineddepending on a data size of data to be processed in the data transferprocess. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, when the data size is small(namely, when the data size represents a value less than a firstthreshold value), the distance from the start point to the completionpoint is set to D1. When the data size is medium (namely, when the datasize represents a value which is greater than or equal to the firstthreshold value, and is less than a second threshold value), thedistance from the start point to the completion point is set to D2(D2>D1). When the data size is large (namely, when the data sizerepresents a value greater than or equal to the second threshold value),the distance from the start point to the completion point is set to D3(D3>D2). Information on the data size of the data to be processed in thedata transfer process can be obtained from another game apparatus priorto the actual data transfer. In FIG. 5, indicator objects on which “25”,“50”, and “75” are indicated are shown. These indicator objects act asscale marks for indicating to a user the percentage of data transferprocess that has been performed, as described below. In the presentembodiment, the data size is determined by using two threshold values.However, a manner in which the data size is determined is not limitedthereto. The data size may be determined more minutely (or more roughly)by using any kinds of threshold values.

Further, in the present embodiment, the size of the icon object 50 to bepositioned in the three-dimensional virtual space and the number of thecharacter objects 51 to be positioned therein are determined dependingon a data size of data to be processed in the data transfer process.Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the data size is small, the iconobject 50 having a small size is positioned in the three-dimensionalvirtual space, and the number of the character objects 51 positioned inthe three-dimensional virtual space is four. When the data size ismedium, the icon object 50 having a medium size is positioned in thethree-dimensional virtual space, and the number of the character objects51 positioned in the three-dimensional virtual space is six. When thedata size is large, the icon object 50 having a large size is positionedin the three-dimensional virtual space, and the number of the characterobjects 51 positioned in the three-dimensional virtual space is eight.The size of the icon object and the number of the character objects asdescribed above are illustrative, and the icon object may have any size,and any number of the character objects can be positioned.

FIG. 4A to FIG. 4E illustrate a non-limiting exemplary case in which thedata size is small. Hereinafter, an exemplary case in which the datasize is large will be described with reference to FIG. 7A to FIG. 7E.

When the data transfer process for data B having a large size isstarted, a progress degree display image as shown in FIG. 7A is firstlydisplayed on the upper LCD 22. Namely, an image representing theentirety of a range from the start point to the completion point definedin the three-dimensional virtual space is displayed. Thus, a user canintuitively know that the transfer process for the data B requires alonger time period than the transfer process for the data A.

Immediately after that, the start point in the three-dimensional virtualspace is zoomed in, and an image as shown in FIG. 7B is displayed. Inthe image shown in FIG. 7B, each character object 51 is displayed atalmost the same display size (a size on the screen) as in the imagesshown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4E. As a result, in the image shown in FIG. 7B,the completion point (and the indicator object 52 g representing thecompletion point) is not displayed (that is, the completion point islocated outside the screen).

Thereafter, the icon object 50 is reversed, and a state in which theplurality of character objects 51 lift the icon object 50, and carry theicon object 50 from the start point toward the completion pointaccording to the degree of progress of the data transfer process, isdisplayed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7C to FIG. 7E, a display rangeis sequentially shifted according to the degree of progress of the datatransfer process so as to constantly display the icon object 50 on thescreen. The display range may be shifted smoothly (that is,continuously) according to the movement of the icon object 50, or thedisplay range may be shifted by a predetermined distance (that is,stepwise) each time the icon object 50 moves over a predetermineddistance.

In the data transfer process for data having a large size, since thedistance between the start point and the completion point is great,neither the indicator object 52 s representing the start point nor theindicator object 52 g representing the completion point may be displayedduring the data transfer process. The same can be said for the datatransfer process for data having a medium size. Also in this state, inorder to allow a user to easily recognize the most recent degree ofprogress (namely, the percentage of the process which has beenperformed, relative to the entirety of the process) of the data transferprocess, the appropriate number of indicator objects (for example,indicator objects 52 a to 52 c as shown in FIG. 7A) are positioned,between the start point and the completion point, so as to be spacedfrom each other by an appropriate distance, in the present embodiment.As a result, as shown in FIG. 7D, even in a state where neither thestart point nor the completion point are displayed, a user can easilyrecognize the most recent degree of progress based on the indicatorobject 52 b or the like.

Thus, in the present embodiment, a distance from the start point to thecompletion point in the three-dimensional virtual space is determineddepending on a data size of the data to be processed in the datatransfer process, so that a user can intuitively know a time requiredfor the data transfer process. Further, also when the distance from thestart point to the completion point is long, a state in which the iconobject 50 and the character objects 51 are moving is displayed on thescreen in an enlarged manner. Therefore, a user can easily know that thedata transfer process is being reliably performed. Further, since thethree-dimensional virtual space is scrolled to change the display rangeaccording to the degree of progress of the data transfer process, theprogress degree display image is prevented from becoming monotonous.Further, minute movements of the character objects 51 can be observed.Therefore, a user can be prevented from becoming bored with waiting forcompletion of the data transfer process.

In the present embodiment, an introductory performance is performed whenthe data transfer process is started, such that a user can feel as if aplurality of characters do their best to move data for the user in aspace (namely, in the upper housing 21 of the game apparatus 10) in thegame apparatus 10.

Specifically, in a state in which an instruction from a user forstarting the data transfer process is awaited, for example, a screenobject 53 as shown in FIG. 8A is displayed at the same depth position asthe screen of the upper LCD 22 (namely, the user visually recognize thescreen object 53 so as to feel that the screen object 53 is positionedat the same depth position as the screen of the upper LCD 22). When theinstruction for starting the data transfer process is issued, a hole isformed and enlarged at the center of the screen object 53 as shown inFIG. 8B by a wiping process described below, and three-dimensionalobjects such as the character objects 51 appear inside the hole (namely,at a depth position that is deeper than the position of the screen ofthe upper LCD 22 as viewed from the user). Thus, the user feels strangeas if a hole is formed on the screen of the upper LCD 22, and a worldinside the upper housing 21 can be viewed.

The above-described introductory performance using a display devicecapable of displaying an image which is stereoscopically visible bynaked eye can be performed in a case where a pair of virtual cameras 54a and 54 b is located in front of the screen object 53, and thecharacter objects 51 and the like are located at a deeper position thanthe screen object 53, so as to satisfy a positional relationship asshown in, for example, FIG. 9A. When an instruction for starting thedata transfer process is issued, a transparent region is enlarged at thecenter of the screen object 53 as shown in FIG. 9B, thereby enabling aperformance (wiping process) in which a hole is formed and enlarged inthe screen of the upper LCD 22 to be performed. Instead of the screenobject 53 becoming transparent, the screen object may be moved so as tobe out of sight. For example, in an example shown in FIG. 10, the screenobject 53 including a left half portion 53 a and a right half portion 53b is moved such that the left half portion 53 a and the right halfportion 53 b are moved away from each other, and the screen of the upperLCD 22 is opened in the same manner as a door, so that a user can feelas if the world inside the upper housing 21 emerges.

Next, an operation performed by the game apparatus 10 for realizing thedata transfer process as described above will be described in detailwith reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12.

FIG. 11 illustrates non-limiting examples of programs and data which arestored in the main memory 32 in order to execute the data transferprocess. In the present embodiment, a data transfer program 60 forcausing the CPU 311 to execute the data transfer process, a distanceselection table 61 as shown in FIG. 5, an icon size selection table 62as shown in FIG. 6, a character number selection table 63, icon data 64,character data 65, indicator data 66, and virtual camera data 67 arestored in the main memory 32.

The data transfer program 60 is typically loaded from the internal datastorage memory 35 into the main memory 32. In another embodiment, thedata transfer program 60 may be loaded into the main memory 32 from anyinformation storage medium such as the external memory 44, or may bereceived from another game apparatus or a server device and loaded intothe main memory 32.

The distance selection table 61 is a table used for determining adistance from the start point to the completion point, according to asize of data to be processed in the data transfer process. In anotherembodiment, a distance from the start point to the completion point maybe determined by using a function for converting a data size to adistance.

The icon size selection table 62 is a table used for determining a sizeof the icon object 50 to be positioned in the three-dimensional virtualspace, according to a size of data to be processed in the data transferprocess.

The character number selection table 63 is a table used for determiningthe number of the character objects 51 to be positioned in thethree-dimensional virtual space, according to a size of data to beprocessed in the data transfer process.

The icon data 64 is a collection of data associated with the icon object50 positioned in the three-dimensional virtual space. The icon data 64contains information on, for example, a shape and a design of the iconobject 50, and a position and an orientation of the icon object 50 inthe three-dimensional virtual space.

The character data 65 is a collection of data associated with thecharacter objects 51 positioned in the three-dimensional virtual space.The character data 65 contains information on, for example, a shape of adesign of each of the character objects 51, and a position and anorientation of each of the character objects 51 in the three-dimensionalvirtual space.

The indicator data 66 is a collection of data associated with theindicator objects 52 positioned in the three-dimensional virtual space.The indicator data 66 contains information on, for example, a shape anda design of each of the indicator objects 52, and a position and anorientation of each of the indicator objects 52 in the three-dimensionalvirtual space.

The virtual camera data 67 is a collection of data associated with thepair of virtual cameras 54 a and 54 b positioned in thethree-dimensional virtual space. The virtual camera data 67 containsinformation on, for example, positions, orientations, and angles of viewof the paired virtual cameras 54 a and 54 b in the three-dimensionalvirtual space.

Next, a flow of a process executed by the CPU 311 based on the datatransfer program 60 will be described with reference to a flow chartshown in FIG. 12.

Firstly, in step S10, the CPU 311 positions the screen object 53 and thepair of virtual cameras 54 a and 54 b in the three-dimensional virtualspace (see FIG. 9A).

In step S11, the CPU 311 renders the screen object 53 by using the pairof virtual cameras 54 a and 54 b, and displays the obtained image on theupper LCD 22 in a stereoscopically viewable manner (see FIG. 8A). Therendering process may be executed by the GPU 312 according to aninstruction from the CPU 311.

In step S12, the CPU 311 determines whether or not an instruction forstarting a data transfer is inputted by a user, based on an input fromthe operation button 14, the touch panel 13, or the like. When aninstruction for starting the data transfer is inputted, the process isadvanced to step S13. Otherwise, the game apparatus 10 enters a waitingstate.

In step S13, the CPU 311 obtains information on a size of data to betransferred, from a game apparatus corresponding to a communicationpartner in the data transfer process. The obtained information is storedin the main memory 32.

In step S14, the CPU 311 determines a distance from the start point tothe completion point, a size of the icon object 50, and the number ofthe character objects 51, based on the information on the size of datawhich has been obtained in step S13, with reference to the distanceselection table 61, the icon size selection table 62, and the characternumber selection table 63. The icon object 50, the plurality ofcharacter objects 51, and the plurality of indicator objects 52 arepositioned in the three-dimensional virtual space (see FIG. 9A).

In step S15, the CPU 311 performs the wiping process (see FIG. 8B andFIG. 9B).

In another embodiment, the screen object 53 may disappear from thescreen of the upper LCD 22 in any manner different from the wipingprocess.

In step S16, the CPU 311 changes at least one of the position and theangle of view of the pair of virtual cameras 54 a and 54 b, so as toshift to a state in which the start point is zoomed in, from a state inwhich the entirety of the range from the start point to the completionpoint in the three-dimensional virtual space is viewable.

In step S17, the CPU 311 starts the data transfer (namely, reception ofdata from the game apparatus corresponding to the communication partnerin the data transfer process).

In step S18, the CPU 311 calculates a degree of progress (for example, aratio (%) of a size of the data having been received before and in themost recent process loop, relative to a total data size) of the datatransfer process, based on the information on the size (that is, thetotal data size) of the data which has been obtained in step S13, and asize of the data having been received before and in the most recentprocess loop. However, the degree of progress of the data transferprocess may be calculated in another manner. In another embodiment,information indicating the degree of progress may be embedded in datatransmitted from another game apparatus, and the information may beextracted from the received data, thereby detecting the degree ofprogress of the data transfer process.

In step S19, the CPU 311 changes positions of the icon object 50 and thecharacter objects 51 according to the degree of progress of the datatransfer process.

In step S20, the CPU 311 moves positions of the paired virtual cameras54 a and 54 b according to the degree of progress of the data transferprocess (or, according to the position of the icon object 50 or thepositions of the character objects 51).

In step S21, the CPU 311 determines whether or not the data transfer hasbeen completed. When the data transfer has been completed, the datatransfer process is ended. Otherwise, the process is returned to stepS18.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a portion ofthe progress degree display image (specifically, a range between thestart point and the completion point in the three-dimensional virtualspace) is displayed on the screen, and a display range of the progressdegree display image displayed on the screen is sequentially shiftedaccording to the degree of progress of the data transfer process(namely, the progress degree display image is scrolled). Therefore, auser can easily know that the icon object 50 and the like are moving, byviewing the screen, and the user can easily recognize the degree ofprogress of the data transfer process. For example, if the icon object50 and the like are moved according to the degree of progress in a stateshown in FIG. 7A (namely, in a state in which the entirety of the rangefrom the start point to the completion point is displayed on thescreen), when a huge amount of data is transferred, it may not beimmediately determined whether the icon object 50 and the like aremoving or have stopped (namely, whether the data transfer process isnormally continued or interrupted due to some communication error). Onthe other hand, when a vicinity of the most recent positions of the iconobject 50 and the like is enlarged and displayed on the screen as shownin, for example, FIG. 7C, it can be easily determined whether the iconobject 50 and the like are moving or have stopped.

Further, according to the present embodiment, a portion (namely, avicinity of the most recent positions of the icon object 50 and thelike) of the progress degree display image which represents the mostrecent degree of progress, is constantly displayed on the screen, sothat a user is allowed to easily recognize the most recent degree ofprogress.

Further, according to the present embodiment, a display range of theprogress degree display image is sequentially shifted so as to changefrom the start point toward the completion point in thethree-dimensional virtual space, so that a user is allowed to recognizethe most recent degree of progress according to the display range of theprogress degree display image.

Moreover, according to the present embodiment, a distance from the startpoint to the completion point is determined depending on a data size ofdata to be processed in the data transfer process, so that a user isallowed to intuitively recognize an approximate time required for thedata transfer process.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the indicator object52 which functions as a scale mark representing a degree of progress isappropriately positioned between the start point and the completionpoint. Therefore, even in a state where neither the start point nor thecompletion point are displayed on the screen, a user is allowed toeasily recognize the most recent degree of progress. In anotherembodiment, the degree of progress may be indicated to a user by usingany other display manner without using the indicator object 52. Forexample, a brightness of a background may be changed according to thedegree of progress.

Moreover, according to the present embodiment, when the data transferprocess is started, the entirety of the progress degree display image(namely, the entirety of the range from the start point to thecompletion point) is displayed on the screen, and thereafter a portionof the progress degree display image (namely, the vicinity of the startpoint) is enlarged and displayed on the screen. Therefore, a user isallowed to intuitively recognize an approximate time required for thedata transfer process.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the degree of progress ofthe data transfer process is indicated by moving the three-dimensionalobject such as the icon object 50 in the three-dimensional virtualspace. Therefore, the display is not monotonous, which is different froma conventional progress bar. Thus, a user may not become bored while theuser is waiting for completion of the data transfer process.

(Modification)

In the present embodiment, a game apparatus on a data reception sidedisplays the progress degree display image. In another embodiment, agame apparatus on a data transmission side may display the progressdegree display image.

Further, according to the present embodiment, an exemplary case in whichthe degree of progress of the data transfer process is displayed, isdescribed. However, the technique is not limited thereto. The techniquemay be applied to display of a degree of progress of any informationprocessing task such as a download of data from a server device, and aninstallation of a program into an internal storage device.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the degree of progressis displayed by moving the three-dimensional object in thethree-dimensional virtual space. However, in another embodiment, forexample, as shown in FIG. 13, the degree of progress may be displayed byusing figures represented in a two-dimensional manner, or the like. Inthe example shown in FIG. 13, a bar is extended according to a degree ofprogress, and the progress degree display image (including a scale markdisplay) is scrolled for display such that a portion (the head portionof the bar) of the bar which represents the degree of progress isconstantly displayed on the screen.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the degree of progress iscalculated and displayed according to a data size. However, in anotherembodiment, the degree of progress may be calculated and displayedaccording to a processing time (or an estimated processing time) insteadof the data size.

Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the data transfer processis executed by one CPU 311. However, in another embodiment, the datatransfer process may be shared and executed by a plurality of the CPUs311.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the data transferprocess is executed by one game apparatus 10. However, in anotherembodiment, the data transfer process may be shared and executed by aplurality of information processing apparatuses which can communicatewith each other.

Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the data transfer processis executed, according to the data transfer program 60, by the CPU 311.However, in another embodiment, a portion of the data transfer processmay be implemented by hardware different from the CPU 311.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the progress degreedisplay image is displayed by a display device (that is, the upper LCD22) capable of displaying an image which is stereoscopically visible bynaked eye. However, in another embodiment, the progress degree displayimage may be displayed by any display device.

While the technique has been described in detail, the foregoingdescription is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It willbe understood that numerous other modifications and variations can bedevised without departing from the scope of the technique.

1. An information processing apparatus comprising at least one screen,the information processing apparatus comprising: an execution sectionconfigured to execute a predetermined information processing task; adisplay section configured to display, on the at least one screen, aportion of a progress degree display image representing a degree ofprogress of the predetermined information processing task; and a displaycontroller configured to sequentially shift a display range of theprogress degree display image to be displayed on the at least onescreen, according to the degree of progress of the predeterminedinformation processing task.
 2. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the progress degree display image includesa portion representing a most recent degree of progress, and the displaycontroller sequentially shifts the display range of the progress degreedisplay image so as to display, on the at least one screen, the portionwhich is included in the progress degree display image, and whichrepresents the most recent degree of progress.
 3. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the displaycontroller sequentially shifts the display range of the progress degreedisplay image so as to change from a first position in the progressdegree display image toward a second position in the progress degreedisplay image, and the first position represents a start point of thepredetermined information processing task, and the second positionrepresents a completion point of the predetermined informationprocessing task.
 4. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein the display controller changes a distance from thefirst position to the second position according to the predeterminedinformation processing task.
 5. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein the display controller changes a distancefrom the first position to the second position according to an amount ofdata to be processed in the predetermined information processing task.6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, whereinthe display controller changes a distance from the first position to thesecond position according to a time required for the predeterminedinformation processing task.
 7. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the progress degree display image includesa position display located between the first position and the secondposition, and the position display represents the degree of progressbetween the first position and the second position.
 8. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the position displayis located between the first position and the second position in theprogress degree display image at predetermined intervals.
 9. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, whenexecution of the predetermined information processing task is started,the display controller displays an entirety of the progress degreedisplay image on the at least one screen, and thereafter a portion ofthe progress degree display image is enlarged and displayed on the atleast one screen, and the display range of the progress degree displayimage is then shifted sequentially according to the degree of progressof the predetermined information processing task.
 10. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the progress degreedisplay image is an image representing a three-dimensional virtual spaceincluding a predetermined three-dimensional object, and the displaycontroller moves the three-dimensional object from a first point in thethree-dimensional virtual space, toward a second point in thethree-dimensional virtual space, according to the degree of progress ofthe predetermined information processing task, and the first pointrepresents a start point of the predetermined information processingtask, and the second point represents a completion point of thepredetermined information processing task, and a virtual camera iscontrolled so as to follow the three-dimensional object, so that theprogress degree display image is generated.
 11. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predeterminedinformation processing task includes at least one of a data receptionprocess, a data transmission process, a data writing process for writingdata in a storage device, and a data reading process for reading datafrom the storage device.
 12. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the progress degree display image includesa portion representing a most recent degree of progress, and the mostrecent degree of progress is displayed by changing, in the progressdegree display image, a relative position of the portion representingthe most recent degree of progress, according to the degree of progress.13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe progress degree display image includes a portion representing a mostrecent degree of progress, the most recent degree of progress isdisplayed by moving, in the progress degree display image, a displayposition of the portion representing the most recent degree of progress,according to the degree of progress, and the display controller furtherdisplays a predetermined character object on the at least one screen,and the display position of the portion representing the most recentdegree of progress is moved in the progress degree display image byusing the predetermined character object.
 14. An information processingsystem comprising at least one screen, the information processing systemcomprising: an execution section configured to execute a predeterminedinformation processing task; a display section configured to display, onthe at least one screen, a portion of a progress degree display imagerepresenting a degree of progress of the predetermined informationprocessing task; and a display controller configured to sequentiallyshift a display range of the progress degree display image to bedisplayed on the at least one screen, according to the degree ofprogress of the predetermined information processing task.
 15. Acomputer-readable storage medium having stored therein an informationprocessing program that causes a computer of an information processingapparatus including at least one screen to function as: an executionsection configured to execute a predetermined information processingtask; a display section configured to display, on the at least onescreen, a portion of a progress degree display image representing adegree of progress of the predetermined information processing task; anda display controller configured to sequentially shift a display range ofthe progress degree display image to be displayed on the at least onescreen, according to the degree of progress of the predeterminedinformation processing task.
 16. An information processing methodexecuted by an information processing apparatus including at least onescreen, the information processing method comprising the steps of:executing a predetermined information processing task; displaying, onthe at least one screen, a portion of a progress degree display imagerepresenting a degree of progress of the predetermined informationprocessing task; and sequentially shifting a display range of theprogress degree display image to be displayed on the at least onescreen, according to the degree of progress of the predeterminedinformation processing task.